Kewpie Mayonnaise’s Secret Ingredient

Published on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, by Sarah Perry / Edit Post

American mayonnaise in jars can be good, but Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise is "the best mayonnaise on the planet," says tonbo0422. What's special about it? "I lived in Japan for five years and was surprised to learn that the 'secret' ingredient was ... rice wine vinegar!" says tonbo0422.

The rice vinegar is important, says FoodFuser—and also the MSG, which rounds out the vinegar's characteristic flavor. "And on a more tactile level, it may be that sexy little half-liter squeeze bottle that lovingly yields to your hand and also fits into those tiny home refrigerators, and that fine nozzle tip that allows one to make some really cool designs on their okonomiyaki," says FoodFuser. "Every mayo lover should experience the supple flexibility of the squeezed Kewpie bottle as it sends forth its tasty stream." And, adds FoodFuser, if you can't get Kewpie, you can add rice vinegar and MSG to regular mayo in the jar—it really works to re-create the flavor.

Discuss: Kewpie mayonnaise—why is it so good?

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  • So, after reading this I decided to splurge on a bottle, since its only like 2 dollars more than american mayo, and even tho i'm not a mayo "fan", I use it a lot (spicy tuna rolls, spicy mayo, dressings, etc), so I thought I'd try it, but, I mean, how good can mayonnaise be?

    Short point: SO GOOD. it was way worth it. I will never buy anything else! It's so rich, and has such a deep egg-yolk...+READ

    So, after reading this I decided to splurge on a bottle, since its only like 2 dollars more than american mayo, and even tho i'm not a mayo "fan", I use it a lot (spicy tuna rolls, spicy mayo, dressings, etc), so I thought I'd try it, but, I mean, how good can mayonnaise be?

    Short point: SO GOOD. it was way worth it. I will never buy anything else! It's so rich, and has such a deep egg-yolk taste, I really don't think I could ever use plain mayo on anything else ever again!-COLLAPSE

  • I used to make my own mayo all the time. However, when I became a parent, I was reluctant to expose my kids to the dangers of consuming raw eggs...so no licking cake batter off the mixing spoon and no fresh mayo for our family! Btw, does Kewpie mayo contain sugar? I am devoted to that Southern favorite, Duke's mayonnaise, because it contains no sweeteners.

  • Can't you just make your own Kewpie mayonnaise with rice wine vinegar and some MSG? I make my own mayonnaise all the time. It takes longer to clean the food processor than it does to make the mayonnaise. It's so superior to store-bought -- even Hellman's (Best Foods). If you have eggs, oil and vinegar or lemon juice, try making your own. I've heard a blender will work, also. But don't use a...+READ

    Can't you just make your own Kewpie mayonnaise with rice wine vinegar and some MSG? I make my own mayonnaise all the time. It takes longer to clean the food processor than it does to make the mayonnaise. It's so superior to store-bought -- even Hellman's (Best Foods). If you have eggs, oil and vinegar or lemon juice, try making your own. I've heard a blender will work, also. But don't use a VitaMix because it cooks the egg before it can emulsify. (I speak from sad experience.)-COLLAPSE

  • I agree Kewpie is the BEST mayonnaise -- I wouldn't use anything else.

  • Every time I'm at the international store I want to buy some Kewpie- particularly for spicy tuna rolls, but it's twice the price of regular mayo. I do want to grab some though. Nice to know people love it :)

  • I've always wondered about the Kewpie mayonnaise, next time I'm at the Asian market I will buy a bottle with the confidence that my fellow chowhounds have gone before me and found it good.

    Thank you all.

  • The Japanese Kewpie web site mentions a blend of Western and Japanese style vinegars and that the vinegars include apple juice.

  • How much rice wine vinegar and MSG to add - a few dashes, a few teaspoons to a half pint jar. Thanks. How about seasoned rice wine vinegar. Looks like this could be a winner for deviled eggs.